Tiger announces new routes and aircraft a year after grounding

A YEAR and a half after its Australian fleet was grounded over safety concerns, Tiger Airways has added several routes and a new aircraft to its roster.

A new Airbus A320 aircraft was delivered to the airline at Sydney Airport today.

"The new aircraft will serve the growing number of routes that Tiger is flying," Tiger Airways director Carly Brear said in a statement.

The A320 will operate on two new routes - between Sydney and Mackay and Melbourne and Mackay.

Tiger announced the new routes after an online poll indicated popular demand.

"We aim to meet a consumer need as well as provide a welcome boost for domestic tourism and the local economy," Ms Brear said.

Up to five services will run between Sydney and Mackay each week from Monday, with as many as four operating between Melbourne and Mackay.

The new routes will provide up to 3200 seats between Mackay and the southern capitals weekly.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) grounded Tiger's Australian fleet in July last year after a series of safety concerns, including two low flight approaches into Melbourne and Avalon airports.

CASA said it had lost confidence in the airline's ability to manage safety appropriately.

Tiger was allowed to resume flying in August last year after a six-week grounding.